The mild, sunny conditions also made the occasion much more enjoyable for the many participants who chose to walk the five mile course and raise money for local charities.

Money collected this year will go towards The Bridge Project, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Marion Blower Appeal.

The event, organised by Sudbury Joggers running club, kicked off in Station Road, taking competitors around a circuit of the town finishing at Belle Vue Park.

The race winner was Andrew Ridley of Colchester Harriers, who completed the course in a time of 27 minutes 10 seconds.

Sudbury Fun Run winner 2014 Colin Ridley of the over 50s cup sponsored by Wardale Williams

The first female to cross the finishing line was Odette Robson of Saint Edmunds Pacers who took 30:52 to complete the course.

For the first time in its history, the event supplied chip timers attached to each competitor’s running shoe.

Another first this year was the introduction of a cup for the over-50s, provided by local opticians Wardale Williams. This was won by Colin Ridley of the Colchester Harriers who also managed to finish an impressive fourth overall.

Martin Russ, Wardale Williams director, said: “The Sudbury Fun Run raises so much money for good causes and we are always keen to support local charities so we had no hesitation in providing this support.

“We were particularly keen to support the over 50s category as many of our customers fall into that age group.”